Sorting machine



Aug- 10 1926.

w. c; STEWART son'rme momma Filed Jan. 5. 1922 Fig.1.

- I I f 5 Sheets-Sh 091: 1

Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,172

W. C- STEWART SORTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2.

//v l/EA/ 7UP. GM

Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,172

w. c. STEWART SORTI NG MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 (mag Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,172

w. c. STEWART soa'rma mcums Filed Jan. '5. 1922 a Sheets-Shut 4 Fig. 4

//v l/E'N 727A. M

Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,172

w. c. STEWART SORTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 //v l/E/V 747R,

Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM C. STEWART, OI SWAMPBCOTT,

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERgON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed January This invention relates to machines for sorting blanks in accordance with a selected characteristic of the blanks.

The present practice in shoe factories in the matter of sorting block soles often results, because of inefficiency and carelessness in sorting, in ver considerable waste through the use of sol es which are longer than needed for the particular size or style of shoe in process of manufacture. With proper sorting and distribution of the soles in magazines or other receptacles it is obvious that the conditions are such as to facilitate economical use of shoe bottoming material.

It is an object'of the invention to provide an improved machine of the class specified which will sort blanks in accordance with variations in a given dimensional characteristic. While the invention is disclosed for the purposes of illustration in a machine for sorting shoe soles, it will be understood that the invention in its entirety and various vimportant features thereof may have other applications and uses.

In the illustrative machine, there is provided a plurality of means for calipering blanks along a length dimension thereof,

as they pass along a support, arranged to control the discharge of the blanks in accordance with the determinations of the calipering means, the discharging means being operated by the blanks as they are calipered. Conveniently the caliperin means comprises a plurality of gages mova le over the support to control latching means for trap doors in the support.

In a practical form of the invention, there isprovided a series of stamps each adapted to stamp a blank having a given dimension, in an those blanks which correspond to the mark carried by a given' stamp are delivered in operative position with respect to that stamp.

As shown, the blanks are moved through. y

the stock treating-means 'of the machine mechanism which moves. the blanks along a rectilinear path. Conveniently, this feedmg mechanism comprises a reciprocable member having movable gravity-operatedfingers which successively-engage the individual blanks to propelthem along the sup- 5 port.

organization in which only Theahove and also other features of the son'rms Macrame.

8, 1922. Serial No. 526,808.

invention, residing in the general organization of the machine for the purpses in view, together with certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Figs. 1 and 2 together disclose a plan view of a machine showing one embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 together show the machine in side elevation;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the machine; and

Figs. 6 and 7 disclose details of the mechanism for feeding the blanks along the blank supporting surfaces of the machine.

In the lllustrative machine there is provided a supporting table 8 upon which the blanks are placed by the operator, preferably in contact with pins 10 which extend upwardly from feed slides 12 set in guideways in the table 8. As shown the slides 12 have'their upper surfaces in the same plane as the supporting surface of the table and each is provided with a pluralit of holes 14 adapted to receive selectively t e pins 10. It will be understood that the pins serve also as gages for the proper positioning of the work in accordance with the variations in the size of the blank material to be fed through reciprocations of the slides 12. Mounted for rocking movement in the frame of the machine near the front end thereof is a shaft 16 to which is rigidly connected a pair of arms 18 connected to the slides 12 by means of relatively short links 20. Fixedly attached to one end of the shaft 16 is a downwardly extending arm 22 to which is pivoted a bar or rod 24 (Fig. 8) extending the full length of the machine and pivotally connected at its other end to the upper end of an arm 26 which is in turn rigidly secured to a rocking shaft 28 (Fig. 4 It will be clear that upon oscillation of the shaft 28 the shaft 16 will be rocked to cause reci rocation of the slides 12, the construction ing such that the blanks in the path of the pins 10 will be carried to the left in Figs. 1 and 3 to place the blank with its forward edge closely adjacent to the edge 30 of the table 8 and thus in position to be operated upon by a second feeding means designed to progress a series of blanks intermittently along a support made up of a plurality of tra doors 32. As shown the doors 32 are eacii pivoted to side bars 34 of the machine frame by means of hinge pins 36 so positioned that the doors turn or swing about a line parallel with the longitudinal axis of the door. It will be understood that: the doors are locked in blank supporting position and released at the proper time to discharge the blanks after each blank has been properly tested as to a given dimension so that it may be piled with other blanks having the same dimensional characteristics.

For feeding the blanks along the series of trap doors there is provided a feeding mechanism which, in the illustrative machine. is shown' to comprise a pair of bars 40 (Figs. 1 and 2) mounted for sliding movement in the cross brackets 42 secured fixedly on the frame of the machine. Each bar 40 carries at regularly spaced intervals a plurality of feed pawls 44 pivoted to the bar and gravity-operated so that the lower end of each pawl extends into the path of the blanks. Upon inspection of Figs. 6 and 7 the mode of operation of the pawls will be readily understood, it being evident that the pawls turn about their pivot points to ride over the blanks upon movement toward the front of the machine and that upon movement in the reverse direction the pawls engage each with the front edge of a blank and serve to move it rearwardly, a block 46 being fixedly secured to its corresponding bar 40 and operative to hold the adjacent pawl in its' vertical blank feeding position. It will be understood that the whole series of blanks are fed intermittently along over trap doors 32, each step of the feeding movement corresponding in extent closely to the transverse dimension of the trap doors whereby each blank is successively positioned over a number of trap doors until it reaches the proper one where it is ejected. Pivotally secured to the rear end of each bar 40 is a pair of links 50 in turn pivoted at their ends to the upper end of a. lever arm 52 carried fixedly on the rocking shaft 28, the arrangement being such that the oscillatory movement of the shaft 28 causes reciprocation of the feed bars 40 to effect feeding of the blanks as above described.

Extending lengthwise of the machine is a' supporting bracket 60 bolted at its ends to the brackets 42, the said longitudinal bracket serving to support a plurality of latch operating devices, there being preferably one for each trap door. Inasmuch as all of the latch operating devices are of like construction it is sufficient that one be described. as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. It will be understood that the latch referred to is the ivot member 62 (Fig. 5) which is adapted to turn about a. pivot the extension 78 pin 64 supported in a bracket 66 extending upwardly from the side bar 34 of the machine frame. In the illustrative construction the lower end of the latch 62 is provided with a projection which seats itself in a small cup-shaped cavity in the adjacent end surface of the trap door 32 at a point closely adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the trap door opposite to that which is adjacent the hinge pins or pivots 36. It will be understood that when the latch is swung outwardly, that is toward the right in Fig. 5. about its pivot 64. the trap door 32 will drop downwardly about its pivots 36 and thus discharge the blank which was resting on the door. Slidably mounted on a rod 68 fixed to the bracket 60 is a plate 70 provided with a plurality of openings 72 for receiving selectivelv a gage pin 74 which projects downwardly almost into contact with the trap door 32 and thus into the plane of the blank resting on the trap door. As shown. the plate 70 has an extension 78 provided with a bore through which passes the bolt 80 also fixed in the bracket 60, a spring 82 being arranged to surround the bolt between and the head of the bolt, the spring serving to retain the sliding plate 70 in its normal operative position. It will be understood that if the blank B resting on the trap door 32 be forced to the right in Fig. 5 it will, if long enough. contact with the lower end of the pin 74 and shove it along carrying the plate 70 with it in the same direction and through the pivotal connection 90 between the plate and the latch 62 will force the latch to the right (Fig. 5) swinging it about its pivot point at 64 and causing the release of the trap door in a manner that will be readily understood from the foregoing description.

In order to test the blanks with respect to the longitudinal dimension of each so that blanks of a given length may be deposited in one stack or magazine and blanks of other given lengths in corresponding stacks or magazines there is provided a plurality of gages 100, 102, 104. 106. as disclosed most clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the number provided being variable in accordance with the requirements of the work. As shown, the gages are mounted upon a frame or other supporting member 110 (Figs. 1 and 5) and, in the illustrative construct-ion, each gage comprises a plate 112 slidable in the support 110 and having a portion arranged to extend downwardly at right angles to the plate to serve as the gage. For this reason the end of each gage extends almost into contact with its corresponding trap door located just below and hence upon moving the gage to the ri ht in Fig. 5, it will contact with the blank w ich at that time is resting on the door. The other end of the plate 119 to the adjusting extension 114, the adjusting member having I the machine and having a roll 142 has a portion 114 which extends upwardly at a right angle to the body of the plate and has passing therethrough an adjusting member 116 provided with a collar secured member at each side of the further a portion which is screw-threaded into .the supporting bar 110. It will be obvious that upon turning the adjusting member 116 the plate 112 and thus the gage will be moved from right to left or in the reverse direction in Fig. 5. It will be understood that the adjusting mechanism for all the gages may be of the same type as that described for the gage 100. For operating the supporting her slidable along its supporting rods 120 (Figs. 1 and 2) at each end of the machine there is provided a U-shaped frame 122 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) which is pivoted at each end upon pivots 124. 125 supported in brackets in the frame of the machine, the said U-s'haped frame comprising arms 126 near each end, which arms are pivotally connected at their upper ends by means of links 128 to the supporting bar 110. or operating the frame there is provided adjacent the pivot 125 therefor an arm 132 rigid with the frame and havin its upper end bifurcated as shown at 134 Fig. 4) to receive one end of a link 136 which connects the arm 132 with a bell crank lever 138 pivoted at 140 (Fig. 5) on the frame of which rides upon the cam surface 144 of the barrel cam 146, the arrangement being such that as the bell crank lever 138 is rocked, the frame 126 will be oscillated about its pivots 124, 125 and thus cause reciprocations of the supporting bar 110 upon which are mounted the gages 100, 102, 104 and 106. It will be understood that the operative movement of the gages, that is, the movement toward the right in Fig. 5, will take place immediately after a feeding operation by the feed bars 40 which operate to position a whole series of blanks upon the trap doors. Referring again to the blank B (Fig. 1) the gage 100 will be moved to contact with the end of the 4 blank and, if it be of a certain length, it will be forced against the pin 74 ad acent the other end of the blank door, in which case the door will be unlatched, thus permitting the blank to drop toward the magazine below. If, however, the blank is not long enough to cause actuation of the pin 74 and slide plate 70, the trap door of course will remain latchedin its blank supporting position. Similarly, the other blanks will be tested by the movement oftheir correspondcorrespondinggages 102, 104, 106 toward ing pins 74 supported by other slide plates like that shown at 70 in Fig. 1. Certain of the blanks will be long enough to actuate the pins andthus release the latch to permit dropping of the trap doors upon which the blanks rest. Immediately following this opcration, the trap doors which were released are automatically of the machine. Following this anew feeding movement of the feed bars '40 takes place by which the blanks still supported on the trap doors are moved one step to the left in Figs. 1 and 2 and a new blank introduced from the table 8. These operations are repeated and in this way the blanks are segregated and deposited in their respective magazines. In the illustrative construction the shortest gage is at the first station. that is, opposite the blank B in Fig. l and thus the construction is such that the longest blank of those being operated on in the machine, will be deposited in the magazine below the first trap door, it being possible to ensure such disposition of the blank by proper adjustment of the age 100. It will be understood that a b ank which is not long enough to operate the pin 74 when it is opposite the gage 100 will pass to the next trap door and to each in turn until it does reach a trap door where the gage and pin together with the blank co-operate to release the latch permitting the trap door to drop, thus depositing the blank in its proper magazine. 1

cans, is preferably provided for automatically returning the trap doors to latched position, the said means being operated in properly timed relation to the other mechanisms and immediately following the operative movement of the gage supporting bar 110. As shown, each trap door 32 is provided with an arm extending ,upwardly from the t ap door adjacent to its pivot line at one end thereof (Figs. 1, 3 and 4), the upper end of each arm carrying a pin 152 which extends laterally from the arm and into the path of movement of a projection 154 on a reciprocable bar 156 slidable in a guideway provided by brackets, one of which is shown at 158 (F ig. 5 of the drawings). At the rear end of the machine the bar 156 has pivoted thereto a link 158 which is in turn pivqted to the upper end of a lever 160 (Figs. '2 and 4) carried by a sleeve 162 fixed upon the rocking shaft 28.

In case it' is desired that the blanks be stamped or otherwise marked for identification purposes, this can conveniently be done before they are deposited in their respective magazines. While the illustrative machine provides marking means for the blanks it will be understood that such means or mechanism may be omitted if desired. As shown in the illustrative machine, a suport is provided for each blank, after it eaves the trap door 32, uponwhich it rests during the stamping operation. In each compartment beneath the trapv doors t ere is provided a plate 172 (Fig. 3) pivoted at 174 in the frame of the machine and' extending practically across the compartrelatched in the operation ment to serve as a movable bottom therefor.

Upon this plate the blank drops and rests during the stamping operation. Rigidly connected to each pivot 174 is an arm 176 which extends downwardly and is pivotally connected at its lower end to a bar 178 extending longitudinally of the machine. Upon reciprocation of the bar 178 the supporting plates or bottoms 172 are simultaneously operated to swing dowmvardly and thus discharge the blanks into the magazines 180 located below. Immediately thereafter the bar 178 is moved in the opposite direction to return the bottoms 172 to blank supporting position. In the construction shown, operation of the bar 178 is provided for by pivotal connection with a lever arm 184 extending downwardly from the rocking shaft 28.

Conveniently, the marking means for placing identifying marks upon the blanks comprises a plurality of stamping members 190 (Fig. 3) which are preferably circular members carried at the upper ends of 'rods 192 adjustable rotatably in sleeve members 194 carried by hubs 196 secured fixedly to the shaft 198, the latter being mounted in brackets 200 at both front and rear ends of the machine. Pinned to the rear end of the shaft adjacent the bracket 200 is a lever arm 202 to the upper end of which is pivotally connected a link 204 5) preferably adjustable as to length and secured pivotally at its other end to a lever 206 mounted on a ivot 208 on the machine frame and carrymg a roll 210 at its free end. As shown, the roll is maintained in contact with the cam surface 212 on the barrel cam 146 through the action of the spring 214. During rotation of the cam 212 the roll 210 rides up on a high part of the cam and at the proper time drops off the high part to the low part of the cam at the point 216 takes place the shaft 198 is rotated through approximately 90 degrees to bring the stamp on the circular head 190 down upon the blank with an impact that ensures the stamping of the identifying mark upon the blank. As shown, the spring 214 is secured to the rod 204 through a collar 220 which is preferably adjusted on the rod 204 so that the tension of the spring may be easily adjusted and thus proper connection with the extensible rod 204 make it possible to ensure proper stamping of the blanks as the latter rest upon the supporting plates 172. As before stated, the stamps or stamping heads 190 are circular and each carries a number of characters. such as letters or figures or other identifying marks, and are arranged to be turned so that the operator can make selection as to the identifying mark for any particular blank and magazine. In order to facilitate selection by the operator, the same identifying marks found on the stampand when this ing head 190 are also placed on the circular member 224 and in the same order, (Fig. 3) the whole ser es of marks being shifted 180 degrees around the circumference of the circular member 224 as compared with the location of the same series on the circular head 190, so that the mark apoearing at the front on the member 224 a pears directly opposite on the head 190 w ere it is in a position to strike the blank when the head is moved downwardly upon the blank through the rotation of the shaft 198. Hence to secure the proper identifying mark it is necessary only to rotate the member 224 which is connected through the rod 192 with the head 190 in a manner that will be well understood.

F or applying ink or other similar substance to the edge of the head 190 and more particularly for applying it to the identifyinn mark which is at the time in use. there is provided a plurality of pads one adjacent each head 190. since each pad 228 (Fig. 3) is similarly mounted and operated the description of one will ser e for all. As shown. each pad is mounted on a lever arm 230 (Figs. 1. and 3) fixedly secured to a short shaft 232 rotatably mounted in a bracket 234 secured upon the side bar of the machine frame. the arrangement being such that each pad swings toward and from its corresponding head 190 of the marking means to apply the inking material to that mark on the head which will contact with the blanks during the operation of the marking means. As shown. the operating means for the pad comprises a link 236 pivoted to a projecting portion on the lever arm 230 at one end and at its other end to a bar 238 extending: along the side of the machine over all of the marking mechanisms. For reciprocating the bar 238 there is pivoted adjacent one end of the machine on a bracket 242 (Fig. 2) a bell crank 244.- havin: one of its ends 246 pivotally engaged with one end of the bar 238 while the other end of the bell crank 244 is pivoted to a block 248 in turn pivoted in the bifurcated portion 250 of a rod 252 (Figs. 2.and 5). Conveniently the other end of the rod 252 is pivoted; to the upper end of the bell crank lever 138 operated from the cam 144 as above described. It will be understood that the rod 238 is reciprocated to cause application of the ink pad to the marking heads 190 while the latter are in their upper position of rest and that the pads are withdrawn during the same reciprocation of the rod to permit unobstructed operation of the marking means. Following the marking of the blanks at the time resting on the bottoms 172, the latter operate to tip downwardly and discharge the blanks into the magazines below, all as above described.

Secured in a bearing 260 at the rear end of the machine is a shaft 262 on which are secured the loose and fast pulleys 264 and 266 with a belt shifter 268 connected by a rod 270 (Fig. 2) to a handle 272 at the front of the machine in a position readily accessible to the operator and to be employed in starting and stopping the machine. As shown, at the front end of the shaft 262 is a gear 274 which meshes with a larger gear 276 on the shaft 278 which carries the barrel cam 146, there being provided a cam groove 280 for a collar at the lower end of a lever arm 282 fixed to the shaft 28 whereby the said shaft is given its rocking movement referred. to a number of timesin the foregoing description.

In the operation of the machine the operator stands at the front of the machine as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings and introduces blanks as they come to hand from a stack or blank container. In other words, the blanks are not selected but are taken at random and placed one at a time upon the table 8 preferably in contact with the pins 10 extending upwardl from the slides 12. At regular intervals t e slides 12 carry the blank into the machine within reach of the feed bars 40 with their feeding pawls 44, the

timing of the feeding mechanisms being such that the operator with very ordinary skill can attend to the machine and supply a blank for each reciprocation of feeding-in mechanism represented by the slides 12. After the machine has been in operation for a short time a whole series of blanks will be passing over the trap doors 32 and during eachcycle of the machine some of the blanks will be ejected through the opera tion of the trap doors in the manner above described. Aswill be understood from the fore oing descri tion the collection of the blanks in the di erent magazines, in accordance with the particular range of dimensions of the .blanks for which the machine has been set, is carried out automatically, to ether with a stamping operation to identi y the blanks for each magazine, if such an operation is found to benecessary or desirable.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is':-

1. In a machine of the character described, a support for blanks, means for calipering the length dimensions of blanks as they dptLSS V along the su port, and means operate the calipere blanks for discharging the blanks from the support in accordance with the determinations of the calipering means, said calipering means being arranged to supply the ressure which enables the blanks to operate t e dischar 'ng means.

2. In a machine of t echaracter described, a support for blanks, a plurality of calipering mechanisms simultaneously operative to caliper a plurality of blanks along a length dimension of each, and means operated by the calipered blanks for discharging the blanks from the support at stations determined by the operations of the calipering means.

3. In a machine of the character described,- a support for blanks. calipering means comprising a plurality of gages arranged in stepped relation in a series to contact with the edges of a plurality of blanks, means for simultaneously operating the gages, and means controlled by the gages and operated through the blanks for discharging blanks properly calipered at stations determined by the calipering means.

4. In a machine of the character described, a support for the blanks comprising tra doors over which the blanks are moved: latching means for the doors, and calipering meanscomprising a plurality of gages for contacting with the blanks and movable along the support, to control the latching means.

5. In a machine of the character described, means for assorting a plurality of blanks simultaneously in accordance with differences in a given dimension thereof, means for stamping on each blank an identif ing mark, and means for depositing each b ank in its appropriate delivery position.

6. In a machine of the character described, a support for the blanks, means for moving a plurality of blanks along the support, a plurality of gages, and means co-operating with the gages in calipering operations for effecting the discharge of the blanks as they pass along the support in accordance with diflerences in a length dimension of the blanks,

7. In a machine of the character described, a support for blanks, means for moving the blanks along the support, a plurality of gages of different lengths arranged in stepped relation in a series, a

member arranged to carry the gages, and

means co-operating with the ga es in calip'ering operations for effecting t e discharge ofblanks from the support in ac cordance with differences in a length dimension of the blanks.

8. In a machine of the character described, a su port alon which blanks are movable, a p urality o trap doors in the support, a plurality of gages one opposite each trap door operative to gage the length of blanks, and means co-operating with a gage for releasing the corresponding trap door when a blank of the proper length has been gaged by one of the gages.

9. In a machine of the character described, a support for blanks com rising a plurality of trap doors over w ich the blanks are moved in a row, and a of gages operative to test the blan s along plurality a len th dimension and operative to control the trap doors so that the latter are opened to permit the proper blank to drop therethrough.

10. In a machine of the character described, a support along which the blanks are movable in a row, said support comprising a plurality of trap doors, means for moving the blanks from one trap door to another, gages for testing the blanks along a length dimension as they rest upon the doors, and means controlled by the gages for releasing the trap doors upon which blanks of the proper dimension have been positioned.

11. In a machine of the character described, a support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors, a latch for each door, means for moving the blanks along the support so that each in turn rests u on a trap door, and means for moving each lank toward a latch to test each blank along a. given dimension, the construction and arrangement being such that the blank releases the latch at the proper trap door whereby the blanks are distributed according to variations in the given dimension.

12.1n a machine of the character described, a plurality of trap doors, means for positioning blanks successively over the trap doors, a latch for each trap door, and a lurality of gages arranged to engage the lanks to push the latter toward the latches of the doors, the construction and arrangement being such that the gages together with the latches measure the blanks along the given dimension so that when the latch is engaged b the proper blank it will be moved to re ease the trap door whereby blanks are sorted in accordance with differences in the given dimension.

13. In a machine of the character described, a support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors, means for moving the blanks progressively along the support and over the trap doors, gages for the blanks, and latches for the trap doors arranged to co-operate with the gages as calipering means for the blanks and operatlve to release the doors when a blank of the proper dimension becomes positioned on the door.

14. In a machine of the character described. a plurality of trap doors, means for successively moving blanks over the doors, means for measuring the blanks along a given length dimension and! for releasing the trap doors when a blank of the required dimension rests on a given door, and means for automatically relatching the trap door in blank supporting position.

15. In a machine of the character described, a support comprising a plurality of trap doors, a, latch for each door, means for moving a row of blanks intermittently along over the trap doors,'and means for shovin the blanks along the support over toward the latches, the construction and arrangement being such that the doors are released when blanks of the required dimension are shoved against the latches.

16. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of trap doors, a reciprocable member for moving a row of blanks along over the doors, latches for the doors, a plurality of gages movable in a direction to shove the blanks against the latches, the construction and arrangement bein such that blanks of the proper length operate the latches to release the trap doors.

17. In a machine of the character described, a support for a plurality of blanks, said support comprising trap doors on which the blanks may rest, latches for the doors, a glurality of gages,a member carrying sai gages and movable to bring the gages in contact with the blanks to shove the latter toward the latches whereby the latches are released by certain of the blanks which have the requisite length, and means for simultaneously relatching those doors which have distributed blanks, the last mentioned o eration taking place prior to another eeding operation on the blanks.

18. In a machine of the character described, means for selecting blanks in accordance with variations in a given dimension, stamps for placing identifying characters on the blanks in accordance with the determinations of the selecting means, a plurality of magazines occupying fixed 10- cations, and means individual to each magazing for discharging the blanks into the proper magazines after the stamping operation.

19. In a machine of the character described, a support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors over which the lanks are moved at regular intervals, means controlled by the blanks for releasing the trap doors so as to drop the blanks at their proper delivery stations, a plurality of magazines related to the said stations to receive the blanks, and a second series of trap doors above the magazines for receiving the blanks and for holding them temporarily while an operation is performed thereon previous to their being deposited in the magazines.

20. In a machine of the character described, a support along which blanks are fed, means comprising a series of trap doors for selecting the blanks in accordance with variations in the given characteristic of the blanks, magazines for receiving the blanks, and a second series of trap doors interposed between the first series and the magazines for receiving the blanks and holding them while an operation is performed thereoperative to stamp the 21. In a machine of the character de scribed, a support along which blanks are fed, and two series of trap doors one above the other for selecting the blanks in accord ance with variations in a given characteristic thereof and for holdin them temporarily during an operation thereon and for then permitting them to drop into the magazines provided for their reception.

22. In a machine of the' character described, a support along which blanks are fed, means for sorting the blanks in accordance with differences in a given characteristic thereof and discharging them along different paths, and means located adjacent to each path for applying an identifying mark to each blank prior to its discharge at its proper station.

23. In a machine of the character de scribed, a support along which blanks are fed, means for sorting the blanks in accordance with differences in a given characteristic thereof, means for stamping on each blank an identification mark, a lurality of magazines, and means for discfiarging the blanks to the magazines comprising plates which support the blanks during the stamping operations.

24. In a machine of the character described, means for sorting blanks in accordance with differences in a given characteristic thereof and depositing them in different compartments provided for the purpose of receiving the blanks, means associated with the different compartments for stamping identification marks on the blanks,' and means for automatically dichargin the blanks to their proper receiving stations.

25. In a machine of the character described, means for sorting blanks and depositing them in the various compartments provided therefor, said them to blank supporting position.

26. In a machine of the character described, means for sorting blanks, a plural ity of plates or supports for receiving the blanks from the sorting means, and means for stamping identification marks on the blanks resting on said plates, said last men t oned means comprising rotatable marking heads, and means for inking the same and blanks while they rest on said plates.

27. In a machine of the character described, means for sorting blanks and de positing them in different com Jartments provided for the purpose, means f or stamping identification marks on the blanks, means for sup iorting the blanks While they are thus llltlf lflitl, means for inking the stamping means, means operating to discharge the blanks after the stamping operation, and means comprising a single cam member for operating all of the first mentioned means. I

28. In a machine of the character de scribed, means for sorting blanks, a plurality of plates for receiving the blanks from the sorting means, means for marking the blanks as the; rest on said plates, a plurality of magazines, and means for operating the plates to discharge the blanks to the magazines and to return them to-blank supporting position, said marking means comprising stamping or marking heads movable into and out of the 'path of the blanks as they pass from the sorting means to the supporting plates.

29. In a machine of the character described, a support along which blanks may be moved, a plurality of trap doors for sorting the blanks as they move along. the support, a second series of trap doorsfor receiving the blanks and supporting them during another operation t ereon, and means for automatically operating both sets of trap doors.

30. In a machine of the character described, a support comprising a plurality of trap doors over which the blanks are moved, latches for the doors, blank controlled means for operating the latches to release the doors, said means comprising a pin to be engaged by one surface of the blank, and a gage to engage another surface of the blank, both pin and gage being adjustable so that the range of the given characteristic of the blank may be varied at the will of the operator.

31. A machine for stamping blanks in accordance with selected length dimensions of the blanks comprising a series adapted to stamp a blank a given length dimension, and means for elivering in operative position to each stamp 0 1y those blanks which correspond in length mensions t0 the mark carried by that stamp.

32. In a machine of the character described, 11 support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors, a latch for each door, means for moving the blanks as they rest upon the trap doors to cause the blanks to re ease the latches at the proper trap doors whereby the blanks are discharged accordinq to differences in a given dimension.

33. n a machine of the character de scribed, a plurality of trap doors, a latch for each trap door, and a plurality of gages of different lengths arranged to engage the blanks to push the latter along the doors toward the latches of the doors. the construction and arrangement being such that the ga es together with the latches measure the b anks along the given dimension so that when the latch is engaged of stamps each by the proper blank it will be movcd to re lease the trap door whereby blanks are sorted in accordance with differences in the gii'cn dimension.

34. In a machine of the character dcscribed, a support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors, and means for mow mg the blanks along the support and into position above the doors com )rising a reciprocable members having fee fin ers spaced apart a distance corres )onding substantially to the width of the iloors.

35. In a machine of the class described, a support for blanks comprisin ii plurality of trap (1001's, and means for moving the blanks plong the support, and successively in position above the oors com rising a recip rocable member having l'cct fin ers operable to engage an edge of the blanks successively to feed them into position above the doors and to move idly over the blanks in the reverse direction preliminary to each successive feedin movement.

36. In a machine of the class described.

35 a support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors, reciprocable members comprising feed fingers spaced apart a. distance cor responding substantiall to the width of the trap doors and opal-ab e to engu c an edge of the blanks successively to feed thein into position above the doors, latches for the doors, and a member movable transversely to the path of the reciprocated member for moving the blanks against the latches to cause nnlatchiang of the doors when the proper blanks are resting thereon.

37. A machine for stamping identification marks on work pieces in accordance with a dimension of the work pieces comprising a series of stamps, a selectin mechanism for delivering to each stamp only those pieces huving a dimension corresponding to the mark carried by that stamp, and operating means for causing all the stamps to act simultaneously upon the corresponding work pieces.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM C. STEWART.

by the proper blank it will be moved to release the trap door whereby blanks are sorted in a cordance with difi'ercnces in the given dimension.

34. In a machine of the character described, a support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors, and means for moving the blanks along the support and into position above the doors comprising a reciproeable members having feed fingers spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the doors.

35. In a machine of the class described, a support for blanks comprising a plurality of trap doors. and means for moving the blanks along the support and successively in position above the doors comprising a reciprocable member having feed fingers operable to engage an edge of the blanks snecessively to feed them into position above the doors and to move idly over the blanks in the reverse direction preliminary to each successive feedin movement.

36. In a machine of the class described, a support for blanks comprising a. plurality Certificate of It is hereby certified that in Letters l 1926, upon the application of William C. Stewart, of

Machines, errors appear in the printed specififor an improvement in Sorting of trap doors, reciprocable members comprising feed lingers spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the trap doors and operable to engage an edge of the blanks successively to feed them into position above the doors, latches for the doors, and a member movable transversely to the path of the reciprocated member for moving the blanks against the latches to cause nnlatehi'ng of the doors when the proper blanks are resting thereon.

37. A machine for stamping identification marks on work pieces in accordance with a dimension of the work pieces comprising a series of stamps, a selecting mechanism for delivering to each stamp only those pieces having a dimension corresponding to the mark carried by that stamp, and operating means for causing all the stamps to act simultaneously upon the corresponding work pieces.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM C. STEWART.

Correction.

atent No. 1,595,172, granted August 10,

Swampscott, Massachusetts,

cation requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 8:"), strike out the article the; page 6, lines 102 and 103, claim 18, for the misspelled word magaz1ng read magazine; page 7, lines 111 and 112, claim 31, for dimensions read dzmenmon; page 8, line 9, claim 34, strike out the article a and line 33, clalm 36, for the word reciprocated re'ad reciprocable;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 21st day oi December, A. D. 1926.

M. J. MOORE, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,595,172, granted August 10, 1926, upon the application of William G. Stewart, of Swampsoott, Massachusetts, for an improvementin Sorting Machines, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 85, strike out the article the; page 6, lines 102-and 103, claim 18, for the misspelled word. magazing read magazine; page 7, lines 111 and 112, vlaim 31, for dimensions read dimension' Page 8, line 9, claim 34, strike out the article a and line 33, claim 36, for the word reciprocated re'ad reciprocable; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these borrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice4 Signed and sealed this 21st day of December, A. D. 1926.

[ M. J. MOORE,

Acting 'mmnissiomr of Patents. 

